Bracelet



W. P. MAY.

BRACELET.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 11.1919.

Patented Jan. 6, 1920.

Jfi rvraior h a {far I I i gy- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER 1?. MAY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO SHELLIE ANDREWS, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

BRACELET.

Application filed July 17, 1919.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, l/VALTER P. MAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, in the county of St. Louis and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bracelets, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to jewelry, and more especially to bracelets; and the object of the same is to produce a bracelet having thereon a case which is useful for the reception of notes or memoranda. In other words, the invention is a note receptacle mounted on a bracelet. Manifestly the receptacle must be small so as not to interfere with the clothing of the wearer or with the natural functions of the hand, and, in order that any appreciable volume of notes or notations may be stored therein, the paper or other writing surface on which they are made from time to time must be extremely compact while it is stored in the casing. In such condition it cannot well be written on, and hence a most practicable arrangement has been adopted, which is the formation of the writing surface in the shape of a paper strip coiled on a support of the spring-roller type journaled in the casing whereby the strip is normally wound thereon.

As suggested uses for the invention, I might say that it could Well be worn by policemen, surveyors and engineers, students, reporters, and almost any person of either sex at times and'places where a desk and writing pad is not available and where perhaps the writer did not expect to take notes.

Aside from its design features, one practical embodiment of the invention is set forth below and shown in the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is a perspective View of the device 1n use. ,7

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through a portion of the band and strip.

In the drawings the numeral 1 designates a bracelet which is herein shown as an ordinary strap passing around the wrist although of course this is susceptible of ornamentation as to its design. The numeral 2 designates the casing which is herein shown as box-like so that it approximates the size and shape of a watchcase, and 3 is its closure which is shown as acover hinged at 4 Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 6, 1920.

Serial No. 311,659.

and latched to the body of the case at 5. Here again the article is susceptible of much orna mentation as to its design and amplification as to details not essential to the invention. For instance, I might suggest that the case 2 could in fact be a watchcase so long as it has a. slot 6 in one side, and the watchcase could have a hinge and latch so that it could open and close in simulation of a hunting watchcase, or its cover could screw on or otherwise. lVhile the case will by preference be of about the proportion to the wrist shown in Fig. 1-, that also is not necessary. The cover 3 could be ornamented at will, possibly even by inserting a small watch in the cover so that its dial would be exposed. The only detail essential to the present invention is that the case shall be of ample size to contain theelements yet to be described, and that the braceet shall support the case on the front of the wrist and preferably the left wrist, rather than on the back of the wrist as customary with wrist watches.

Mounted in bearings 10 within the case is a support in the form of a spring-roller 11 simulating the well-known shade roller, the tendency of the spring being constantly to rotate the roller in one direction. Secured at one end to this roller is a flexible metal band 12, the same lea-ding out through the slot 6 and carrying a ring or loop-shaped handle 13 at its other end, larger than the slot so that it cannot be drawn inward through the same as the spring winds the and on the roller. This band bears a writ ing surface, and the surface may be provided in a number of ways. The band itself might be written on. It might be painted or otherwise coated with a surface on which one could write with a pencil, and later wipe it off with a moistened cloth; or it might be coated with a surface for the use of a. slate pencil. As shown herein the band is provided along its marginal edge with inturned elements which, in order not to destroy the flexibility of the band, may be formed in the shape of teeth, lips or tangs 1 1, and laid on the band throughout its length is a strip of paper 15 whose edges are engaged beneath the tangs so that the paper is caused to lie perfectly fiat on the band and therefore will be coiled with it on the roller 11. Manifestly a paper writing surface will accommodate notes or memoranda in pen and ink or in pencil, and the paper strip may be readily re placed from time to time.

In use, the bracelet 1 is passed around the wrist and strapped or otherwise secured thereon by means not necessary to amplify, and the case 2 stands on the inner side or front of the Wrist adjacent the base of the thumb as seen in Fig. 1, and with the slot 6 disposed toward the palm. Normally the roller winds the band and strip until the ring or handle 13 lies close against the wall of the case. Now when occasion arises that the writer desires to make a note, he grasps the handle and draws out the band preferably unwinding it completely and making his first note or notes near the inner end of the strip, and permitting the same to accumulate slowly on the roller in the case as his writing progresses. While writing, the band is laid across the palm of the hand and held between two of the fingers as indicated in Fig. 1, and the hand and the band therefore serve to support the paper strip or other writing surface so that writing can be conveniently done thereon without having a desk or even a pad. Notes and memoranda can thus be taken quickly, almost without the knowledge of persons in the im mediate vicinity of the user; and by spreading the finger 5 and releasing the band, the same is permitted to coil automatically yrvithin the case so that the hand is instantly ree.

Aside from the ornamental and design features, the invention is susceptible of modification and amplification. If the case is cylindrical as herein shown, there may be space within it for holding small articles such as a little piece of pencil, a powder pufi', etc. To renderthe device inconspicuous, the case might be shaped to conform closely to the contour of the band when completely coiled. To render the case capable of carrying other articles, it might be considerably enlarged and the other articles stored therein or attached to or made part of the case be left to the manufacturer.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. A. bracelet, a case thereon having a slot, a spring roller in the case, a metal band coiled on the roller and one end leading out the slot, and a handle on said end, the band bearing a writing surface.

2. A bracelet, a case thereon having a slot, a spring roller in the case, a band coiled on I the roller and one end leading out the slot,

and means carried by said band for removably securing a strip of paper to the band.

3. A bracelet, a case thereon having a slot, a spring roller in the case, a band coiled on the roller and one end leading out the slot, said band being provided with a plurality of marginal retaining devices adapted to detachably secure a writing strip to the band.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination with a case having a slot in one wall; of a spring-wound support rotatably mounted within the case, a flexible band coiled on the support and extending through said slot, the band having fastening devices along its edges for securing a writing strip to the band.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination with a case having a slot in one wall, and means for attaching the case to the person; of a spring-wound support rotatably mounted within the case, a flexible band coiled on the support and extending through said slot, the band having inturned tangs along its edges and a handle at its extremity larger than said slot, said strips being adapted for securing a writing strip to said band.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination with a case having a slot in one wall, and means for attaching the case to the person; of a spring wound support rotatably mounted within the case, a flexible band coiled on the support and leading out its slot, the band having tangs along its edges for securing a writing strip to said band. itself. All of which and other details may In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

WALTER P. MAY. 

